Tommy Beers

Ithaca, NY

I paint landscapes and I bicycle around the country in my retirement, painting and gathering photos to work on later in studio.

My faith teaches that black people are likened unto the pupil of the eye. They are surrounded by white, holding it in place. The pupil lets in the light, “sees the reflection of that which is before it, and thorough it the light of the spirit shineth forth.” That’s a beautiful metaphor. And POC have long been the moral voice of conscience for this country calling us to fulfill the truths enshrined in our constitution. All men are created equal…e pluribus unum.

John Lewis was certainly one of those powerful voices. A friend encouraged me to enter saying “Just do what you do with this theme in mind.”